Pembroke Academy robot teams seek sponsors for Calif. trip

At the beginning of the school year, David Kelly and his VEX Robotics teams at Pembroke Academy set their sights on the World Championships in Anaheim, Calif., in April. Kelly admits now he thought it was more of an aspirational goal than a realistic one.

He didn’t expect that by March, three of the school’s eight robotics teams would qualify for the championships, and he’d be looking for sponsors to help the teams get there.

“It’s been kind of a surprise because of how successful we’ve been. We set it as a goal, but you can always set a good goal and not know if you’re going to reach it.Then, to reach it with three robots has been amazing,” Kelly said.

It costs about $1,200 for each student and chaperone to attend the three-day event that begins April 17. Pembroke’s teams will compete against other high school teams from more than 20 countries. So far, the teams have raised about $800 and are looking for more sponsors. Sponsors’ logos will be displayed on the walls of the teams’ pits at the championship event and on their website and Facebook page.

For more information, Kelly can be reached at 485-7881, ext. 3011 or dkelly@sau53.org.

On April 6, the teams will compete locally one last time before the championship at the Sack Attack Wrap-up at Pembroke Academy, starting at 7:30 a.m.

(Sarah Palermo can be reached at 369-3322 or spalermo@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @SPalermoNews)